In the centre of the exhibition room, a sphere about 3m in diameter was seated.
“What is this?”
“This is a type of shelter. It’s relatively new among the exhibits and has a clear origin, so it’s one of the museum’s highlights.”
It was round and didn’t look like much from the outside.
“So this is a museum highlight?”
“Yes, it is. It’s a fully autonomous shelter designed by the person known as the Galactic Emperor for his personal use. It is impossible to open it from the outside and provides immaculate medical care to humans inside. It can also be used as a treatment capsule and even contains an artificial hibernation device.”
She cleared her throat before continuing.
Apparently this was going to be a long story.
“This is like a fairy tale of sorts. It was about 200 years ago, at the end of the Galactic War.”
The room suddenly became dark as a vintage projector came whirring down from the ceiling.
An animated movie for children was projected on the wall.
“About 200 years ago. The long, long history of human warfare had reached a turning point. A girl was born. She was called the Princess of the Stars and she was to bring peace and salvation to the galaxy.”
On the screen, a girl with glittering eyes danced with animals in a field of flowers.
“However, she also became a new source of conflict. The Galactic Empire and the Resistance fought a fierce battle for the girl, creating many heroes, tragedies and legends.”
The scene changed violently.
Blood, medals, smoke, swords and flowers.
“At the end of the battle, the Resistance leader finally confronted the Emperor. Their soldiers were scattered behind them. Both the Emperor’s soldiers and the Resistance fighters had all fallen after the long battle. In the Emperor’s hands was a girl, the last hope of the galaxy. The leader of the Resistance finally defeated the Emperor in single combat……but at that moment! The Emperor’s final bullet struck the girl in the chest. He said that he wouldn’t die alone and that he would take the galaxy down with him. With the death of the Emperor, the royal palace began to crumble.”
The girl in the video collapsed as blood oozed out of her chest.
“The hero of the Resistance grieved. Could he somehow save her! In the depths of the royal palace, he found something. A shelter capsule that doubled as a healing capsule.”
He looked up at the sphere.
“He placed the girl inside the capsule and closed the door. One day, if the girl recovered, the door would open and the galaxy would be saved. Until then, at the very least, she could rest peacefully. With those words, the hero of the galaxy disappeared into the rubble.”
FIN.
The movie ended and the room became brighter.
“Did the door open in the end?”
“It’s as you can see.”
“So she’s still inside?”
“If the legend is true.”
At the end of the galaxy, a girl who is supposed to save the world is still sleeping.
Even now, after the destruction of the galaxy.